A Boy Holding Two Cigarettes

A young boy sits grounded on the earth, his direct gaze forming an immediate and profound connection with the viewer. His expression is a complex mixture of youthful vulnerability and a stoicism that seems far beyond his years. The composition centers him, using a shallow depth of field to soften the ambiguous background and focus all attention on his quiet intensity and the two cigarettes held delicately between his fingers—a detail that introduces a challenging narrative layer.

Rendered in a rich monochrome palette, the image emphasizes texture and form over color. The soft, diffused light models the contours of his face and highlights the worn fabric of his patterned shirt and trousers, contrasting with the crinkled plastic beside him. This deliberate choice of black and white lends the portrait a timeless, documentary quality, stripping the scene to its emotional core and creating a somber, contemplative atmosphere.

This powerful moment, captured by Nasrul in the late summer of 2008, showcases his remarkable ability to establish trust and intimacy with his subjects. The image feels less like a fleeting snapshot and more like a shared moment of quiet understanding, a testament to the artist’s patient and empathetic approach to portraiture.

This photograph is a quintessential example of the artist’s career-long exploration of the human condition. Consistent with his celebrated work on the intricacies of emotion, the portrait transcends mere documentation to become a deep character study. It reflects a profound respect for the subject, finding dignity and resilience in challenging circumstances and telling a complex visual story that resonates with universal themes of innocence, hardship, and the enduring human spirit.